We’re taking turns to write so you’ll have to figure it out for yourselves…
Sunday 22nd Sept,
Day 34 in India 🙂
Another lazyish start to the day, Neil’s turn to have a dodgy tummy so we took it easy and got going around 10ish.
Not so far in kms today but a few brutal hills made it feel like a big day!
20km or so in and we found the ferry spot at Jaigad… waited there for an hour for the ferry to turn up but it cut off quite a few km from the long way round. As we discovered today it’s also a great opportunity for many conversations…and selfies… some very eloquent English speakers wanting to make our acquaintance and pose with a couple of wrinkled and sun affected Tasmanians and our bikes.
Must be a bit more skill amongst Indian car drivers as there’s no option for drive on drive off on these ferries! Drive on, back off and try and navigate the waters edge and the impatient traffic waiting to board the ferry before it’s empty… at least that part was easy on a bicycle!
After a long enough day we looked for somewhere to stay, stopped on a corner to check out what looked like a lovely spot from the outside and were instantly accosted by a guy who turned out to be the manager of the “homestay”. He gave us a good discount for a room which we assumed would be pretty swish at just under $80AU…but there you go. Another trap for those of us who still don’t seem to have got the gist of this game.
Tonight’s accommodation is probably one of the most basic and rundown we’ve had and yet right up there pricewise. Note to selves for tomorrow-
a) ask to see the room first and b) learn to be strong and turn it down when it really isn’t worth the money. Yeah, you’d think after all this time we’d have learnt!!!
But anyhow, a lovely if pricey meal in their establishment with fresh grilled pomfrey (price TBA later of course) and the most amazing spiced and very local cashews.
Monday 23 Sept, Day 35
Neil not feeling so shiny, so we aimed for a shorter day today.
Can’t avoid the hills tho… or the water crossings! Another ferry, another long wait.
Aimed back for the coast at Dapoli and thought we’d stop enroute at what looked like a pretty nice place. But no internet along this stretch so we couldn’t check the location, the price or the altitude properly…and somehow it threw us in an unexpected (and unwelcome) hill to end the day. Nevermind…the price was right and the place was amazing! Elevated views, lovely clean and modern room and a great breakfast.
Tuesday 24th Sept, day 36
A 100 km, two ferry day!! and more hills…
Still feeling crook with tummy issues, I just followed Rachael, mostly just looking at her back wheel and trying to keep up.
As we approached the first ferry crossing there was a cluster of motorcycles, then cars. We peddled as fast as we could only to see the ferry just pulling away. No problems, just meant an hour wait, trying to avoid the attentions of the local madman, some lunch for Rachael and mango juice for me.
Mid afternoon, was feeling a little better and we decided to push on so that we could make Mumbai the following day. Still amazing coastal scenery, lush tropical forest right down to the now black sand beaches. Through occasional small towns, some of these were utterly filthy, rubbish everywhere 😦
The next ferry was loading as we approached- we were due a bit of good luck! Under threatening skies and fading light we caught our breath during the 1km crossing. It was well after dark by the time we arrived at our chosen hotel.
Wednesday 25th Sept, day 37
Mumbai!
We actually cycled around 75km today but Garmin gave us an extra few kms for the ferry ride 🙂
That was a day! A relatively early start with a prepackaged croissant for the road…both of us feeling a bit lacklustre especially after yesterday’s 100k ride and Neil having not eaten much at all for several days now …
But no hills so we plugged away and stopped for a drink about 10km short of the ferry. Checked the timetable only to see that it was leaving in under half hour… oh dear.
Well that was probably the fastest 10km I’ve ever managed. Luck was (just!) on our side. We arrived at the ticket booth about 4 minutes before departure time…and by the time they managed to issue us with tickets, and tell us to “hurry hurry- straight that way!!” we managed to hot foot it onto the ferry pretty much as they were raising the drawbridge. No time to think of photos for this bit!! Love to know what they thought of two very hot and disheveled looking foreigners as we scrambled to make it on before they left the dock!
And then…it’s Mumbai. Another story for another day…
Let’s go cycling 
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